Find Spot record 15312 - Powder Measure and Musket Ball from Land East of Croxton Lane

<1> Portable Antiquities Scheme, Various, Portable Antiquities Data Import, LVPL-B2A220 (Digital Archive). SCH5212.

A complete and misshapen cast lead cap for a powder measure of post-medieval date (1600-1700). The cap was used for measuring a charge of gunpowder. It is squashed and misshapen possibly due to damage within the plough soil. Originally, the open end would have been circular or perhaps oval in plan. The open end has a slight rim and the sides tapered to the oval base. At each end of the base is an integral loop for attachment. There are no casting seems visible and the base is slightly concave. The object has a light white patina. The loops enabled the cap to be attached separately to the bandolier (belt) of the wearer so that they could be removed without the possibility of being dropped and lost. The cap would have been part of a powder-charger or powder-holder, a small flask holding enough powder for a complete charge for the weapon. A series of these holders were attached to the bandolier. For information on small arms accessories of the seventeenth century, see (2).

<2> Courtney, P, 1988, Small Arms Accessories of the Mid-Seventeenth Century (Journal/Periodical). SCH9057.

<3> Portable Antiquities Scheme, Various, Portable Antiquities Data Import, LVPL-B26EFA (Digital Archive). SCH5212.

A lead alloy musket ball of post-medieval date. The object is spherical and complete. The surface is uneven with several indentations and has multiple small, short gouges taken out of it all over the surface. Foard (see 5) refers to these objects as possible 'burr' shots, or roughly hewn muskets balls, but the reason for creating them is unclear. Harding (see 6) suggest that the markings are caused by teeth marks left after chewing the ball, possibly by animals post-deposition. It has a dusty white patina and is in good condition. The weight suggests that it could have been used in a musket (see 6). Dimensions: 28mm in diameter, 29.9g.

<4> Foard, G & Morris, R, 2012, The Archaeology of English Battlefields, 22 (Book). SCH9059.

<5> Harding, DF, 2012, Lead Shot of the English Civil War: A Radical Study, 3 (Book). SCH9058.

<6> The British Museum, Portable Antiquities Scheme Online Database, LVPL-B2A220 & LVPL-B26EFA (Web Site). SCH5176.